Feeling good 62-63 Gibson Hummingbird

[jschmitz54]

A year or so ago a friend that I ride bike with in Arizona told me about a guitar his wife had inherited from her Uncle. It was in its original case under a bed collecting dust. I asked to see it and realized that this was very likely a collector guitar. I did some research on AGF, called Gibson and spoke with Carter Vintage and Schoenberg. When it was found to be a 62-63 Hummingbird it didn't take long to find out what it was worth.
My friends were a bit skeptical but eventually spoke with Schoenberg and after a bit got it to their shop where it was cleaned up and had a neck reset. It just came on the market and I'm not sure you can find many guitars this age in this condition.
I wanted no reward for this, did it for the fun of it and it's gratifying to see how beautiful it is. It will go to one lucky individual and I don't think it will take long to sell.
I listed Schoenberg's description below and if you're interested you can view the guitar on their website. I'm very happy I could help someone in this way. It really would not have been possible for me without all the great advice from you folks on AGF. Congratulations to you who helped. Your expertise is valued and appreciated.
Product Description
A rare early original and excellent condition example, this is one of the few maple Hummingbirds, made only in 1962-1963. It looks like it hasn't been played much and led a protected life: Gibsons from this period that have been leading a full life will often lose a lot of their sunburst to fading, while this one looks like it's still new. We just reset the neck, so it plays like a champion, and it has an exciting tone, and full frequency response from a rich bottom to a clear, bright top end.
https://www.om28.com/ProductDetail?product=P240331001

[Br1ck]

Great story!

[Wade Hampton]

Those maple Hummingbirds are rare birds, indeed. Steve Goodman played one.

The story behind them is that the Hummingbird and the Dove models came out at the same time, but the Hummingbird was a hit with the guitar-buying public while the Dove was not. So in the finish department Gibson converted some of the surplus Doves they’d built into Hummingbirds.

It was a good way to use up some of the Doves they had built that weren’t going to be sold otherwise.


Wade Hampton Miller

[jschmitz54]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Those maple Hummingbirds are rare birds, indeed. Steve Goodman played one.

The story behind them is that the Hummingbird and the Dove models came out at the same time, but the Hummingbird was a hit with the guitar-buying public while the Dove was not. So in the finish department Gibson converted some of the surplus Doves they’d built into Hummingbirds.

It was a good way to use up some of the Doves they had built that weren’t going to be sold otherwise.


Wade Hampton Miller

Thanks, Wade. That is very interesting information. As usual, you're an encyclopedia of guitar knowledge.

[dilver]

Very cool to see that guitar. As a recent owner of a custom shop reissue, I can really appreciate this.

For anyone interested…
https://www.om28.com/ProductDetail?product=P240331001

[Dogma]

Any insight into the finish wear pattern on the back of the neck? Especially given the overall lack of wear in the other usual places. Beautiful guitar!

[jschmitz54]

Originally Posted by Dogma

Any insight into the finish wear pattern on the back of the neck? Especially given the overall lack of wear in the other usual places. Beautiful guitar!

The neck had the pock mark damage when I first saw it. It doesn't effect much. Didn't play it much because the strings were very old and I tried to handle the guitar carefully. I felt being as old as it could be fragile but that didn't turn out to be the case. Some beauty though.